After He Yanzhi returned from his mission, the entire house was filled with a careful, quiet joy.
Although he was already a regiment commander, his work remained busy after returning to the unit, yet he made it a point to return home on time every day, accompanying Chen Shuang for walks and meals, making sure she rested on schedule.
Today was another prenatal checkup. He Yanzhi had taken leave in advance and accompanied Chen Shuang to the county hospital—the unit hospital lacked complete equipment, and the doctor suggested a more detailed examination at the county hospital.
Dr. Zhang from obstetrics and gynecology was an experienced senior physician. She carefully examined Chen Shuang and then ordered an ultrasound. In this era, ultrasound was still quite advanced, and the entire county hospital had only one machine.
Chen Shuang lay on the examination bed, feeling a little nervous. He Yanzhi stood beside her, holding her hand, his palm slightly sweaty.
The doctor placed the probe on Chen Shuang’s lower abdomen, and a blurry black-and-white image appeared on the screen. Dr. Zhang stared at it for a long while, frowning slightly, and then adjusted the probe’s position.
“What is it, doctor?” He Yanzhi’s heart tightened.
Dr. Zhang didn’t speak at first. She examined the screen carefully again, and suddenly a look of surprise appeared on her face: “This… Commander He, Comrade Chen Shuang, you need to prepare yourselves mentally.”
Chen Shuang’s heart leapt. He Yanzhi tightened his grip on her hand. “Doctor, is there a problem?”
“No problem, really, it’s just…” Dr. Zhang pointed at a few small dots on the screen. “Look here, and here… it’s not one, not two, but three…”
She turned to look at the two stunned individuals and smiled: “Congratulations, it’s triplets.”
“Tr… triplets?” He Yanzhi’s voice changed tone.
Chen Shuang was completely frozen too. She looked at the screen, then at the doctor, and finally at He Yanzhi. Three? There were three children in her belly?
“Yes, three gestational sacs, three heartbeats, all healthy,” Dr. Zhang said firmly. “This situation is rare, but don’t worry—Comrade Chen Shuang is in good physical condition. As long as she rests well and attends regular checkups, there won’t be any problems. However, because it’s a triple pregnancy, it will be harder than a single pregnancy, and more care is needed in the later stages.”
Leaving the hospital, both of them were still somewhat dazed. He Yanzhi supported Chen Shuang, his steps much slower than usual, as if she were a rare treasure that could break at a touch.
“Th… three…” he murmured, a mix of excitement and worry on his face. “Shuang Shuang, can your body handle this?”
Chen Shuang touched her belly, which was only slightly protruding now. It was hard to imagine that three little lives were growing inside. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself: “The doctor said I’m healthy. As long as I pay attention to nutrition and rest, it’ll be fine.” She also had Lingquan water to help nurture her body.
Though she said this, He Yanzhi clearly wasn’t entirely reassured. Back home, he immediately reported to the unit leadership, requesting a reduction in some work so he could spend more time taking care of the household. The political commissar approved immediately and even sent over a basket of eggs and a few cans of malted milk.
“Triplets! This is truly joyous news!” the commissar patted He Yanzhi on the shoulder. “Take good care of little Chen, and don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything!”
The news quickly spread throughout the military residential compound. Sister Wang was the first to rush over, a mixture of excitement and concern: “Triplets! My goodness! Shuang, you’re amazing! But this will be a heavy burden on your body—starting today, you don’t touch a single chore in the house!”
Other military wives also came to visit. This time, Zhang Caifeng didn’t hesitate and brought a basket of sweet potatoes and half an old hen: “My family just sent these over to help Shuang nourish her body. Triplets aren’t easy, she needs good food.”
Chen Shuang looked at the half-room filled with nutritional supplies and ingredients, feeling deeply touched. In this era, when material wealth was scarce, such friendship and care were especially precious.
That evening, He Yanzhi made a long-distance call to his family in Beijing. In this era, making a long-distance call was a big deal—it required queuing at the post and telecommunications bureau. He Yanzhi took leave specifically to accompany Chen Shuang.
His father, the commander of the Beijing Military District, answered the call. His voice was loud and steady.
“Dad, it’s Yanzhi,” He Yanzhi said into the phone, his voice betraying his excitement. “I have big news for the family—Shuang is pregnant.”
On the other end, his father’s voice was full of joy: “Good! Good! That’s wonderful news! Your mother will be overjoyed! When will you…”
“Dad, let me finish first,” He Yanzhi interrupted. “Today we went for a checkup, and the doctor said… triplets.”
There was a few-second silence on the line, then his father’s voice rose in shock: “How many? Th… triplets? Are you sure?”
“Sure, an ultrasound confirmed it. All three are healthy.”
“My heavens…” his father’s voice quivered with excitement, and he shouted inside the house, “Shufen! Shufen! Come quick! Your son says his daughter-in-law is carrying triplets!”
There was a flurry of footsteps and exclamations on the other end. After a while, He Yanzhi’s mother grabbed the phone, her voice trembling with tears: “Yanzhi! Is it true? Is Shuang really carrying triplets? How is her health? Can she manage?”
“Mom, don’t worry. The doctor said she’s very healthy, and the babies are healthy too,” He Yanzhi said, glancing at Chen Shuang, who sat quietly with a gentle smile.
“That’s good, that’s good…” his mother murmured, “When will you return to Beijing? No, the conditions on the island are harsh. Let Shuang come back to Beijing to rest! I’ll personally take care of her!”
“Mom, it’s still early. Shuang is only a little over two months pregnant. The doctor said to wait and see until later,” He Yanzhi patiently explained. “Besides, she has Zhou Ma here taking care of her, and the sisters-in-law from the compound are helping too. Don’t worry.”
“Then you must come back for the New Year!” His mother’s tone left no room for argument. “You must return to Beijing for the New Year! I want to see Shuang in person, and my three little grandchildren! Right, I need to quickly prepare and send things over; triplets need so much stuff…”
The call lasted nearly half an hour. Both parents were excited and worried, repeatedly reminding them to pay attention to this and that. Finally, his father said: “Yanzhi, take good care of Shuang, she’s the hero of our family! For the New Year, bring her back so everyone can see her!”
After hanging up, He Yanzhi and Chen Shuang exchanged smiles. Though separated by thousands of miles, their family’s love had already been transmitted through the telephone line.
On the way home, He Yanzhi held Chen Shuang’s hand and whispered, “Shuang, thank you. You’ve given me the greatest surprise in the world.”
Chen Shuang leaned on his shoulder: “It’s a surprise we share together.”
A few days later, a large package arrived from Beijing. Opening it, they found various nutritional supplies—milk powder, malted milk, walnuts, red dates, longan—along with some fine fabrics and a stack of national grain coupons. A letter from He Yanzhi’s mother was included, written in neat handwriting:
“Shuang, my daughter-in-law: Upon hearing that you are carrying triplets, I am overjoyed but also concerned for your health. I am sending these nutritional supplies; be sure to eat well and supplement adequately. The fabric can be made into clothes for the babies, and the grain coupons can be exchanged for fine grains. Take care of your body and don’t overwork. I look forward to seeing you during the Spring Festival for a family reunion. – Mother.”
Chen Shuang held the letter, her eyes brimming with tears. In this unfamiliar time and space, she not only had a loving husband and the children soon to arrive, but also caring family.
He Yanzhi gently embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her head: “For the New Year, I’ll take you home.”
Outside, the autumn wind grew chilly, but the small courtyard was warm. Chen Shuang touched her slightly rounded belly, her heart full of anticipation for the future.
Three little lives were growing inside her, and her story with He Yanzhi was just beginning a new chapter.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, He Yanzhi’s mother was rummaging through drawers: “Old He, I remember we have some soft cotton fabric left, where is it? We need to make clothes for our three little grandchildren…”
He Yanzhi’s father sat on the sofa, reading a book on infant care. Hearing her, he looked up: “In the box on the left side of the storage room upstairs. Shufen, don’t get too excited, there are still several months to go.”
“You don’t understand!” his mother shot him a glance. “Three children! Clothes, blankets, diapers—how can we not prepare these in advance? No, tomorrow I must go to the department store to check again…”
The autumn sunlight streamed through the window, casting long shadows of their busy movements across the room. Far away on the island, Chen Shuang and He Yanzhi had no idea that in Beijing, their parents had already begun joyfully preparing for the three little lives not yet born.